How to Market Yourself Without Feeling Pushy
Jan 16, 2025
Do you cringe at the thought of marketing yourself? Many practitioners, especially those starting out, feel uneasy about self-promotion. They fear being seen as pushy or sleazy, often shying away from marketing altogether. Yet, without marketing, even the most talented CAM professionals struggle to find clients.
Here’s how to market yourself authentically and confidently by aligning your approach with your values. Let’s turn self-promotion into an activity you feel proud of, not one you avoid.
Why Marketing Feels Difficult
Marketing often carries negative connotations. Sue’s opinion of marketing came from her corporate background, where she saw aggressive sales tactics driven by high-pressure targets. This led her to think that marketing meant manipulation, a concept that felt completely at odds with her values.
The truth? Marketing doesn’t have to feel this way. When done authentically, it’s about connection, not coercion.
The Emotional Barriers to Visibility
Even when people recognise the need for marketing, emotional barriers like fear of rejection or impostor syndrome can hold them back. It’s natural to feel exposed when putting yourself out there but reframing your perspective on marketing can help.
Aligning Marketing with Your Values
At its core, marketing is about building relationships and creating trust. The key is choosing strategies that resonate with you – it’s about creating your own recipe for your marketing. If a marketing approach feels wrong, you won’t show up confidently, and it won’t represent the real you. Just because it works for others, it doesn’t mean it will work or is right for you.
Sharing Your Purpose Attracts the Right Audience
Storytelling is one of the most natural and effective ways to market yourself. By sharing insights into what you do, who you help, and how you work, you invite aligned clients to connect with you. These stories can be woven into any format - from social media posts to speaking opportunities - making your marketing both memorable and impactful.
Storytelling provides a foundation for authentic marketing. It’s a way of sharing what you do without “selling.” By simply explaining how you’ve helped others and showcasing your passion, letting people know you’re available to help, you’ll attract the right people.
Building Your Marketing Confidence
Start small and simple! Commit to taking one step, whether that’s introducing yourself to someone new, or posting your first social media update. The first time is always the hardest, but practice makes it easier. Before you know it, you’ll be confidently carrying out your chosen activity.
Accountability is a powerful way to keep yourself motivated and taking the required action. Find someone to share your commitment with, and they will help you celebrate your progress.
Above all, when promoting yourself, focus on the person you’re helping, rather than dwelling on your own feelings. Shifting the emphasis onto your audience can dissolve self-consciousness and make your marketing feel purposeful.
Develop a Marketing Strategy That Feels Natural
Instead of trying every tactic at once, focus on one marketing strategy and master it. Work to your communication strengths, if you’re a great writer, look for strategies that put this skill to use such as blogging, email marketing or PR. If you’re a people person, networking events are a great option.
Align your marketing efforts with your energy levels; introverts, for instance, might prefer online marketing over in-person events.
Focus on Connection, Not Persuasion
Engaging marketing that informs and inspires is more impactful than overtly persuasive messaging. Invite your audience to interact with you in a collaborative and natural way.
Use Social Proof to Build Trust and Credibility
Testimonials and reviews provide social proof and are a powerful way to earn trust. They not only validate your skills but also reassure potential clients. For example, as my own Google reviews increased, so did enquiries from people who found me on Google - a testament to how social proof works.
Encourage clients to share their experiences with you via Google reviews, email, or surveys and share them in your marketing – client experiences will help people know you’re the right practitioner for them.
Simplify the Process
Use tools like content templates, checklists, or scheduling apps to streamline your marketing efforts. For example, consider using a weekly content calendar to plan your posts in advance. By creating a simple, repeatable process, you’ll reduce feelings of overwhelm and stay consistent. Having a process takes away a lot of the overthinking that can get in the way of you marketing yourself effectively.
Conclusion
Marketing doesn’t have to feel pushy or inauthentic. By aligning your strategies with your values, focusing on connection, and building your confidence step by step, you can turn marketing into a meaningful part of your business journey.
